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Thinking of going to Bologna - any advice?

Thanks for the trip report. I have now bought the tickets for Bologna and I'm thinking about booking a room at http://www.savhotel.com/ as they have free parking (we are thinking about renting a car for a few days), they have free wifi, bikes that we can borrow etc.

We stayed at the Savhotel for three nights in October, 2007. It was a little difficult finding the hotel, so you need to watch for the small signs on via Stalingrado. It is very close to the Bologna Exhibition Center in a more industrial type area of the city. While it was a very nice and clean hotel and a great rate, we wished we had stayed in the city center. The hotel is furnished in a very modern style and lacked the old world charm we would have wanted. The free breakfast was delicious and varied. We asked for espresso each morning, and the service staff happily prepared it at no extra charge. There were computers in the lobby that one could use free of charge. There is also a bar as you enter the front door of the hotel, which offered free nonalcoholic beverages throughout the day. We went up on the rooftop, but the unobstructed views were of the industrial area we were in. There is also underground parking at no charge. There were also limited dining options in that area, and we did not feel that we could walk to the city center especially at night. We had a rental car, which we dropped off across the street from the train station when we left Bologna heading to Rome.

Thanks madams77 for the feedback - we have actually two hotels for our stay in Bologna. First we will stay in the city center without a car but then we will pick up a rental car to explore some of the areas around Bologna and this is when we move to the Savhotel as they have parking. I have looked at where the hotel is located on Google map so I hope that I will be able to find it ;-) But you wrote "There were also limited dining options in that area, and we did not feel that we could walk to the city center especially at night". Did you feel that it was unsafe to walk to the city center? On the homepage it says that they have bikes that you can use - did you try out that option?

If you are planning on having a car then you should definitely head just outside Bologna to try a local agriturismo. I lived in Bologna for 6 months last year and my absolute favourite was:
Al Pazz
Via Montebudello 57
Monteveglio (BO)
Tel. 051/831330 - 830111
Fax. 051/964072

It is a bit of a drive from the city centre but well worth it - the views are stunning and the food is excellent and well priced. I believe the fixed menu is 20 euros and that includes a hot and cold appetizer buffet, three types of pasta (incl. giant green tortelloni which are incredible), crescentine fritte and tigelle with local meats and cheeses, and of course wine and water. They also do a great grilled meat plate! Everything is made on site and the service is very friendly - they suggest reservations but that really only matters if you are in a big group.

If you dont want to go so far from the centre try "Il Nonno" its up on a hill just outside the city, gorgeous view of city lights at night and good crescentine and tigelle...a bit more expensive though as it is closer to the center. Address is Via di casaglia, 62 - you can also just get a bus there I believe.

As far as day trips, Ravenna is definitely the best one to do, Modena is also pretty nice but a full day might be a bit long there. If you speak Italian there is a very interesting underground tour of Bologna that takes you on the old canals and down under the streets - a number of different companies run these kinds of tours and I cant recall the name of the one I used... unfortunately I don't believe it is offered in any other languages.